Apparatus for deep sea rescue and salvage



June 5, 1945.

J. W. JUSTUS APPARATUS FOR DEEP SEA RESCUE AND SALVAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 51, 1944 June 5, 1945.- I J. -w. JUSTUS APPARATUS FOR 'DEEP' SEA RESCUE AND SALVAGE Filed Aug. 31, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 (fumes WJZLSZ'uS Patented June 5, 1945 3 UNITED STATE paratus from the air hose and the submerged vessel.

.. -to the hatch of the vessel.

PATENT OFFICE .APPARATUS FOR DEEP SEA RESCUE AND SALVAGE James W. JuStuaBirmingham, Ala. Application August 31, 1944, SeriaLNo. 552,105 11 Claims. (01. in -16.4).

' "Thisinventionrelates to an apparatus for rais-l ing disabled submerged vessels and it consists in the"v method, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

It is the cardinal object of the invention to.

provide a propelled rescue chamber constructed and adapted to be secured to hatches of submerged vessels for the purpose of rescuing surviving passengers, and thereafter supplyingand maintaining pressure to the compartments of the submerged vessel todisplace water confined "within the compartments to provide buoyancy to the submerged vessel.

Itis also an important object of the invention to provide a new and novel means whereby the rescue apparatus may be readily and quickly secured to the hatch of a submerged vessel, the

actual couplingbetween the two devices being accomplished by the rescue crew within the rescue apparatus, and further eifect a coupling of the air hose directly with an air distributing manifold system'within the submerged vessel; as well as providing means for detaching the rescue ap- It is a furtherimportant object to provide an apparatus which is of suchconstruction asto permit operation upon submerged vessels'in depths not possible by deep sea divers.

' Itis a still further object of the invention to" i provide an air distributing manifold system which may be readily installed within old type boats or Y the :new type submarines, thereby insuring re floating of any submerged craft equipped with the apparatus;

A further important object of the invention is the provision of an air manifold system wherein a plurality of valves are employed for controlling the discharge of air at desired points as well as closing the induction line of the submerged vessel, 3 all of which may be accomplished by the crew while in the rescue apparatus.

Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following a description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a submarine showing the'rescue apparatus attached Figure 5 is a cross section onthe line 5-5 of Figure 4.. t

Figure 6 is a cross section on the. line 6-6 of Figure 4. I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectionalview of a valve associated with the water discharge lines.

FigureB is a similar view of a valve installed in the main induction and battery vent.

Figure 9-is a vertical sectional view of an air vent associated with the vessel.

the various compartments-of Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings, wherein there is shown a'fragmentary portion of a submarine indicated at III, the hull being divided into compartments 1 I to IT, as here shown, although the number of compartments .1 may be increased, it being understood that each compartment of the vesselisto be equippedwith water discharge lines and air inlet means, as

will be described; v i

. The submarineis constructed with the usual escape hatch I8; including the usual hatch cover l8 and customary looking features for maintaining a watertight connection, these not being illustrated, since they form no part of the present invention. Surrounding the hatch l8, inwardly or ouwardly of the vessel, there is disposed and suitably mounted an annular air manifold I9 having an air inlet pipe leading to the exterior of the vessel where it is closed by a screw threaded cap 5, 21.1 A valvesZO' .is installed in the line: 20 which is maintainedinposition, preventing water entering the manifold when the cap. 2| is removed. -A series of air pipes 22 are connected to the manifold l9, there being a pipe for each compartment of the submarine: each pipe terminating in a discharge valve 23 within respective compartments, preferably at compartments. I

As may be seen from Figures 2 and 3, each pipe 22 has installed therein a valve 24 for individual control of air through the pipes 22, and since these valves areto. be operated exteriorly of the: submarine, reach rods- 25 are extended upwardly through the topcwall .26 of the vessel wherethe ,a high point within the rods are angularly shaped to permit application of a wrench or otherwise, to elfect operation. of the valves. The valve 20' is also provided with a reach rod.

The compartments H, l2, l3 and M in the present. instance, will be :considered as ballast compartments, and from each of these com- Wpartments, there is suitably mounted a water discharge tube 21, the lower; open end of which is spaced slightly above thebottom of the hull identical construction and attention is invited to Figure 7, wherein a piston 33 is reciprocably mounted and operatively conneoted to the valve 29, a spring 34 in advance of the piston mainline 30' enters the cylinder rearwardly of the piston and air dischargedpinto-the cylinder causes the piston to move forwardly, compress m operativelyiconnected to: .theavalv-r "tOmmOVG the 1 latter into the .valve seat 40 upon entrance! of I air: into ixthe: 'c'ylinder through arr-. airz'rline 4| thevzlatte'r -'heing-:'also connected tovthe manifold 5 $9, and controlled' by-meansf of aa-valve 24.

The compartments I I 'provided with equalizing valves 42 opening to 1 the:exterior of' the vessel, whichufunction to relieve; air: pressure" withir1 the messely iwhich, "will be required as the submerged-vessel is being raised, as will be further explained. M'JTI'IGWII'GSCHB apparatus is indicated at? *43 an comprises a submarinevessel adapted-to=bez-propelledahd guided" *by means ofpropeller units 44 eas is well understood; and-w'exemplified in myprior' patent issued December I 21,-' 1937-=Pat r "enti- Nd. 2,102,626. The rescue apparatus *will include any nu mben of passageways "45 I adapted to telescope i with theh-atchesl8- of the submergedand =-secur'ed-"- to said hatches in waterwtight 'relation. F In the -present instance', the structure of my prior patent will be employed, U attention being invited to" said patent. Briefly, 1 however; the "connection b'etween 'the' reseue appai'atus and submerged vessejl is niade *byEma- H ="n-ipulatingthe rescue rapparatus' '43- so =as toalign the passagewa y 4'5 -with' =an annulai flanged "c'ollar 'flifixed- 01i" the submerged vessel and l surrounding the hatch l8. Thus ali-gfied, -lugs41 are actuated so as to engage ben'eaththe fiange fi' i48 of the oollar=4B.- As may be-seen in -Figure 2; he passageway is defined by an annular body 49 closed at the'e'nd disposed within theapparatus 43* by a cover 50.' "The* other end being planiformg' and--including apacking I-*forjefffecting at'watertight connection with the'-sub-" wing as centering means betweentherescue ap'-- 'iwiparatus and -the collar onthe-submergedvessel.

The' rescue apparatus is provided with means for removing-the.cap 2| from'the air-line--sys- 1mm of the submerged vessel=as wellas connect- 1.: ing an =air supply lineto said ai'r line'*-system,-

all of which must be accomplished within the rescue apparatus. As shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, a bracket 54 is secured to the exterior of the rescue apparatus 43 adjacent the passage- 5 way of the apparatus. The bracket 54 comprises a base portion 55 provided with openings 56, 51, 58 and 59 spaced vertically of the base. The wall of the rescue apparatus 43 is provided with threaded ,openings 60 ,and .lil aligned respectively with openings: 56: and; 58 vfor receiving mounting bolts 62 for securing the bracket to the apparatus; The wall of the apparatus is also provided with openings 63 and 64 aligned erespectively with the openings 51 and 59 of the bracket. A packing gland B5 and 66 is provided taining the valve in closed position. air

.dor t-heoopenings 60 and 6!, respectively, and rotatably mount a wrench 61 and 68. The

---wrenches are formed with a squared end 69' @complemental to a similarly shaped opening 10 formed in the end of bolts 62. By sliding the I-:ishank 0f the. wrench;longitudinally: ofithegpackngisgland; the: squared .endsfiawwill zengag'ei imthe c-nzopeningflflz Of'llhB boltgandzt-hen bmrptati gl'the wrench in the proper-:izdireetion,rxthei holtsqifl inaycbe zquickly; removed to; release: the bracket was .willbe:required:inzoperation: of .zthe device. 'I 'he-o openings #163 pandas: 643.; are :providedmwith cglalndsr "LI; and l2,--respectiyely.; andithesegglands tat-likewise 1; mount arespective rswrenoheszfl 3 rand J l'these'1wrenches, howeven including azsocketi15 wior a: purpose tow-,bere-xplained.

'5 :Upon! whee base 54w vertically; zspacedq. rightzangularly extended arms 16';'-'r|l, i'|8;.z;and:'185MB lwfor-med,:-arranged1 in pairs,::the"armsi :16: and 11 rhaving-1o1aenings adjacent? their ;;ends ;through '2 l-which a metalliclztubulara sheathtBm is recipro- -cably mounted. In order :that: the sheath: may heldi against rotation, aa-longitudinal keyfllzl is v formed ionrt-he -extenior :surfacex? of uthewsheave -.complemental to an key-wayi 3:82 .uform'ed': irr2;the

bracket- 16.

J1 A rackE baifii 83 isI-fixed upon. the :,-ex tenior 5 of Lthe. :she'ath 8E! exte'ndingr. longitudinally: thereof 5 of substantiab=lengthincmesh with. a: gear r 84 fixed upon a shaft 85 rotatably supponted:=be-

H tween' bearings-'- 86 v on" the'Tplate 1 "I." iirheinshaft .5: is ia'ligried With and: enters the openingr 51; of the basewhere it: is---provided .with a-wsquared end 81 complementalto the s'ocke't' i157" ofnthe wrench3'13. It willbe apparent that the:.wrench 1 maybe actuated to' move the sheath longitudin ally of:the-bracket; as willcbe required inizoper- :1 ation of the device. EThe :sheathfiBll willeinclude any. suitable :means :forconnection :with. iannair line 88.

t The -she'ath -80 is-'made in twosectionsi 83 and Ii90 ,=':-threadedly connected: as at Blf'iihEl bOlG of K the sectiontll being'of a diameter greater ;;than the section FSD. A shank 92 of acom-bined GOfWl'BIlCh': and die? 93' is reciprocably mounted: within the SheatH BIhtheshan-k including a head 34. The head 94 is of a d-iameter tofreelyfitwithin the bore of ther-section 8 9 and will function as =:the shanh 92. Forqinstance as: showhdmfligofh-theabore of the sectiori "-'89; -=and: downward movement of the sheath tifl through operation 1 of' theawrenchs 13 will causerdownwardz-movement ofi: the wrench: and die 93.

ZThQr-ShanIeQZr projects outwardly' 'from the sheath 80, the terminal end of the sheath ineluding a gland: packing 95, the-shank- 92 -being --rota1tably:= mounted between: bearingsi 'Sfi on the bracket arms 18 and 19. A ring gear 'a 'l is seure 4; the =head 94: is contactingthe terminal end A longitudinally. extending key is of the wrench and die. 1 A shaft 99 is journalled in bearings I formed on the bracket arm 19 and fixed to the shaft there is a worm gear IOI in mesh with the gear 91.

This shaft 99 is aligned with and projects intothe opening 59 of the base 54, the terminal end being angular, shaped for reception of the socket of the wrench114.

may statewi e magma at a. It will be noted from Figures} 2 and 3 that the closure cap 21 is of greater weight upon on fside, tending to readily topple from the pipe and the wrench when released from the pipe. With the cap 2| removed, the'wrench and die 93 is again lowered into position uponthe, open threaded end of the pipe 20. The die threads Ill3' are now engaged with the threads of thepipe through operation o the rench 14, so asto securely connect the The combined wrench and die 93 is employed in removing the closure cap 2i, and to this end a socket Wrench N32 is formed at the terminal end of the shank 92 and inwardly, of the socket a threaded die IE3 is provided, the latter being employed to re-form the threads of the pipe 20 in the event that these may have become distorted or damaged during removal of, the nut 2|,"and

also to effect an air and watertight connection 1 with the pipe 20. It will be readily apparent that the socket and die may be rotated by the wrench 14.

The bracket 54 and the associated parts may be mounted adjacent any of the hatch passage ways of the rescue apparatus, it only being nec essary to provide the necessary openings 60,?61,

63 and 64. i

In use, when a disabled submerged submarine has been located, the crew enters the rescue apparatus and it is properly closed and sealed. The

apparatus is lowered from the mother ship by means of the suspension cables I04, after which the crew takes over in manipulation of the power units 44 to effect guidance and positioning of the hatch passage over the hatch of the submarine and with these telescoped the lugs 41 are rotated so as to secure the apparatus to the submarine.

The rescue crew may now open the hatch cover 50 and make a preliminaryinspectionby removing the test plug 105 in the cover l8; In the event that gases or water are present it is obvious that the crew ofthe submarine would not be alive, and it would then only remain to couple the air line 88 'tofthe line 20. However, should the crew ofthe submarine be alive a rescue of the entrapped men would be in order and this would be eifected prior to the coupling of the air line 88 with the submarine. The rescue would be effected by opening the hatch door I8" and passing the crew into the rescue apparatus. When the capacity of the rescue apparatus has been attained, the hatch door I8 is closed and sealed,

as is the door 50. The lugs 41 are now rotated so as to free the submarine and the crew of the mother-ship is signalled to hoist the rescue apparatus. Then, when all of the crew of the submarine have been removed, the raising thereof will be accomplished, the rescue apparatus being again anchored to the hatch of the submarine, as previously described. At the time of centering the apparatus upon the hatch of the sub-- marine care was taken to also center the wrench and die 93 above the closure cap 2| 0f the air line 20. The wrench and die 93 is normally in elevated position, and by engaging the wrench with theshaft 85, and rotating it in the proper direction, the sheath 8!] and the wrench I02 will be moved into position upon the closure cap 2|. The gear IM and ring gear 91 are now rotated by means of a wrench 14 removing the nut 2| from the air line, which will be permitted by reason of the fact that the combined wrench and die opened so as to admitair to the manifold l9.

The valve controlling air line 4Iis also opened so as to permit passage of air to the cylinder 38 to eifect closure of the valve 3'! of theinduction line 36. After opening of thesevalves, thevalves associated with air lines 22 are, opened to admit air to the several compartments of the sub-- merged vessel, and the valve-3| is then opened to effect unseating of the valve 29 controlling the water discharge pipes2l.'- The airadmitted into the compartments of the vesselwill be under high pressure and as this buildsup, water will be forced upwardly through the ftubes 21' for discharge exteriorly of the vessel. After operation of the valves asdescrihed further work on the part of the rescue crew isnotnecessary, and, in fact, it is highly desirable that the rescue apparatus be freed from the submerged vessel, since there is a likelihood of unbalanced movements of the submarineduring rising therofpThus,

the hatch I8 is sealed, as isthe hatch passageway of the rescue apparatus; The wrenches 67 and 68 are now engaged with the bolts 62 to "efiect their removal, freeing the bracket 54. The rescue apparatus is finallygreleased marine by actuating the lugs 41 v As the submarinerise s, water pressure surrounding the vesselis reduced and in order to equalize pressure in the submarine, air may escape through relief valves 42,

Any suitable lighting system may be provided from, the subon the rescue apparatusso as'to illuminate the submarinesuflicicnt to make for good Working conditions. Q ,1 l

Fromthe foregoing it will be seen that the whole operation is effected from the interior of the rescue apparatus, and while lf have specifically shown and described the'apparatus, this is by way of illustration only, and I consideras my own all such modifications in construction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A submarine raising apparatus comprising in combination with a submarine having an escape hatch and air pipelines associated with compartments of the submarine and including an exterior pipe connection, a rescue apparatus having means for attachment to the escape hatch of the submarine, an air supply line carried upon the exterior of the rescue apparatus, means interiorly of the rescue apparatus for coupling said air supply line to the exterior pipe connection on said submarine, valve means for controlling discharge of air intothe compartments of the submarine, and water discharge ducts associated with each compartment opening exteriorly of the submarine.

2. A submarine raising apparatus comprising in combination with a submarine having an escape hatch and an air manifold having a hose connection exteriorly of the submarine, air lines connected with said manifold and opening within respective compartments of the submarine, valve means sseciat rw hieachi islaialin siea t asa d es pe atch a wat rLdi sha FePdiiQ I a-ea comp lment ope in teri r ythe. ubmar e a .v

; aea z u taa iace he discha e en t e f,

n a rlinet e we neach l e. andsfld. a rme o a-m a c t val ezbetwe nthe manif a dsa t mm e-a n.li eas dv e n con h ve-i lu n annmrafimtfi. dis s within 7 the Iescape ha c a, r sc e. parat ih v an z r; at h n t t eewa ehat h of the u m r a e ttame sth ei n s plyhose earried upon theexterior of the rescue appa a amea s nt r yzdt t e e e appaa sa d nnect d wi h e c a r su h r 1y oi the submarine.

coupling said hose tothehose connection exterior- 3. {Ihe structure of cl aim 2vv wherein the hose connection exteriorlyof the submarine includes a Valve and operating rod, the ,latterfpeing disposed within the escape hatch. r

4. The structureof claim z whereincertain om tme s o thesu mer ne ar p visi iw an air equalizing yalve.

associated with each water duet is normally closed a d er o q enms ti w .e r ress ndv ea d tiur h mh ri e ava a e n er-wa rj ressu wit n t eldu I t V 6., A subinarinecomprising :a plurality of com- M .for oontigolling passageof air tot saidmanifold,

a line cq n ct iw hw-the manifo1 ,,e ha ing a discharge enawi h n, res ep t comp -.-m nt wa tdisch r educts s ocia dwi h tain of, the. compa rtments .eac1'i duct ,having a 'valve discharge end exteriorlyof the submarine,

and an air actuated yalve in each duct normally i lo d msifioaanait nee n ected with each i s d t namedi nesand w his mani o d,

M and, an air icontroltyalve in each air line connected with the manifold, each air control-,valve having a reach rod withinand,accessiblethrough said rescue hateh.

- 7.,Ifhe structure oe1aim fi wherein certain of sa d cm artmentsh ve n;e ua izinava ve operta e 311,9 reclu t on. ie ete r.pre w ama sub a i .p 8- A wbmefi ar can l ais a appara e mprisi ei mb a ionw t z ubmarinah pi a e ca e at a d char e-r e li associated with compartments 0i theisubrnarine and including an exterior air pipe, connection having a screw-threaded c1osure cap,,a rescue apparatus having means for r centering and attach- ,ment to the rescue hatclna bracket mounted upon the .exterior-- of the rescue apparatus, a sheathcarried by. saidbracket andv Vertically adjustable therethrough, means interiorly of-; t he rescue apparatus for, moving the, sheath yerticallyy said K sheath beinghollow, and including an air hose- ,Jine, a coinbined vwrench and die rotatably mounted within said sheath having a passage in communication with said sheath, means interiorly of therescue-apparatus for rotating siaid wrenchjor removing said closure cap. and thereafter engaging said die upon thethreaded portion of thegexpipe.

teriorrpipe connection, and meansvinterigrly of there's cue apparatus I01 releasing said bracket from the rescue apparatus after connection has been made between said die and said exterior 9. The structure of claim 8. in which the means for adjusting the sheath consists of a raclgrba on r the sheath, a shaft rotatably car ried by said bracket having an end disposed within an openr ing accessible from 31181111361101 of therrescue ap- H paratus, a. gear on theshaft in mesh with the rack v bar, and wrench means for rotating the shaft;

10. The structure of claim 8, in which the neans it for rotatingthe Wrench and dieiconsists of a" ring si x d n z s a f-t -wr chend d a shaft trotatablycarried by said: bracket having ,an end disposed within an opening accessible ,the rescue apparatus, each bolt haying azwrench er gaging member,- and wrench means cooperable wit t W n he ge i eme v fromthe interior of the rescue apparatus, atworm gear on the; shaft in mesh with the ring gear and ,Wrench means for rotating the shaft for releasing the bracket consists of exteri qr bolts v having their threaded terminal? ends presented 11. The structure qi claim 8 inwhichthe means ,withinan opening accessible fromgtheinttsrior of a Ta /ms wausins. 

